Launch of largest ever children’s health survey

The biggest survey of children’s health, ‘How Are the Kids?’, launches today (Friday 30 January).

Millions of families in England will be asked to give information about their eating and activity habits and in return they will receive a specially tailored plan to help them eat well, move more and live longer.

Without intervention, nine out of ten children could be overweight or obese by 2050 if current trends continue. At present, almost a third of 10 and 11-year-olds are overweight or obese.

Around 11 million surveys will be sent out from 2 February, which will include:

7.5 million door dropped to families with young children across England or through inserts in national press and magazines.

At least 2 million distributed via the School Fruit and Veg Scheme.

350,000 through the Healthy Start mailings – mums will get them with their monthly vouchers.

Doctors’ surgeries will receive around 120,000.

Around 20,000 will be mailed to people who have already registered via the Change4Life website.

Families will also be able to complete the survey online.

Mums and dads will be asked to complete the quick survey – and in return they will get an action plan, tailored specifically for their family, full of hints and tips on how to get their children to be more healthy. The plan will include healthy diet and activity tips, as well as a card game for children featuring characters from the Change4Life TV ad.

New Change4Life TV ads will air from Saturday 31 January to publicise the survey. This is the latest initiative in the Change4Life campaign, which was launched on 3 January. The aim of the campaign is to kickstart a lifestyle revolution for every family in order to halt the rising tide of obesity.

Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said: “Families who take part in this survey and tell us about their eating and exercise habits will be sent a unique health plan by our experts to help them eat well, move more and live longer.

“This is part of the Change4Life campaign which is supporting and informing families about healthier choices for their children - our future generations. Visit www.nhs.uk/change4life to take part.”

Surveys will also be distributed in towns around the UK where there will be games for parents to play with their children and healthy juice bars.